A control handle support and valve linkage assembly for use in a lift truck or like vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a first stationary bracket and a second bracket that pivots relative to the first bracket. At least one, and preferably an array of control handles are coupled to the second bracket. A seat deck on the lift truck includes an actuator for engaging a member projecting from the second bracket. When the seat deck is in the closed position, the second bracket is kept in a first, retracted position, and hence, the control handle(s) are kept close to and within the comfortable reach of an operator seated in the adjacent seat. Then, when the seat deck is opened, such as when the operator desires to access a battery compartment or the like, the second bracket, and hence, the control handle(s) automatically and simultaneously pivot or rotate relative to the first stationary bracket. This moves the control handles out of the path of travel of the seat deck to avoid creating any interference. A linkage is also provided for linking each control handle to a valve and a corresponding switch. Together, the valve and switch regulate fluid flow to control one or more aspects of the operation of a carrying assembly or like structure associated with the lift truck.
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21. A lift truck comprising:
a movable deck; and a control handle support and valve linkage apparatus mounted adjacent to said movable deck and comprising a first stationary bracket; a second bracket in engagement with said first bracket at least one control handle assembly coupled to said second bracket; structure for coupling said at least one control handle assembly to at least one control valve; wherein said second bracket is movable relative to said first bracket between a first position and a second position, said movable deck engaging a portion of said second bracket during movement of said deck to a closed position so as to effect movement of said second bracket to a first position, said second bracket being moved to said second position when said deck is moved to an open position and a substantial force is no longer being applied against said second bracket portion, and said coupling structure does not substantially change its position so as to substantially influence the position of said at least one valve when said second bracket moves between its first and second positions.
1. A control handle support and valve linkage apparatus for mounting adjacent a movable deck on a lift truck, comprising:
a first stationary bracket; a second bracket in engagement with said first bracket; a spring for biasing said second bracket relative to said first bracket; at least one control handle assembly coupled to said second bracket; structure for coupling said at least one control handle assembly to at least one control valve; wherein said second bracket is movable relative to said first bracket between a first position and a second position, said second bracket being in said first position when a portion thereof is engaged as a result of said deck being in a closed position and said second bracket being in said second position when said deck is moved to an open position and a substantial force is no longer being applied against said second bracket portion, and said coupling structure does not substantially change its position so as to substantially influence the position of said at least one valve when said second bracket moves between its first and second positions.
9. A control handle support and valve linkage assembly mounted adjacent to a movable deck on a lift tuck including a carrying assembly, comprising:
a first stationary bracket; at least one valve for controlling the flow of a fluid to and away from the carrying assembly on the lift truck; a second bracket engaging said first bracket; a spring for biasing said second bracket relative to said first bracket; at least one control handle assembly coupled to said second bracket; structure for coupling said at least one control handle assembly to said at least one valve; and wherein said second bracket is movable relative to said first bracket between a first position and a second position, said second bracket being in said first position when a portion thereof is engaged as a result of said deck being in a closed position and said second bracket being in said second position when said deck is moved to an open position and a substantial force is no longer being applied against said second bracket portion, and said coupling structure does not substantially change its position so as to substantially influence the position of said at least one valve when said second bracket moves between its first and second positions.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/151,118, filed Aug. 27, 1999, entitled "Control valve linkage assembly," which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates generally to vehicle control and, more particularly, to an improved assembly for both supporting one or more control handles in a lift truck such that interference with a movable deck or like structure is avoided and linking the control handles to valves for controlling the operation of a carrying assembly forming a part of the lift truck.
In a conventional lift truck, an array of control handles are provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid typically used to raise, rotate, or otherwise move a portion of the carrying or lifting apparatus (i.e., the mast and forks and accompanying structures). These control handles should be conveniently located within the operator compartment for easy, comfortable access. Of course, providing control handles that are securely and reliably linked to the corresponding valve(s) for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid is also an important consideration, as is minimizing the number of parts required and reducing the overall complexity.
Typically, a lift truck is provided with a compartment covered by a movable deck that carries an operator's seat. This compartment usually contains components responsible for providing power to the lift truck, including the battery. In such an arrangement, positioning the control handles comfortably within the reach of the operator generally places them immediately over the seat deck or other movable structure forming a part of the lift truck base. As a result of this placement, the control handles create an obstacle to removing the deck for gaining access to the adjacent battery compartment or the like.
In one prior art truck, before the seat deck can be opened to gain access into the battery compartment, a control handle release mechanism must be actuated followed by the manual pivoting of the control handles away from the seat deck. Such an arrangement is disadvantageous as additional time and effort are required to reposition the control handles prior to opening the seat deck. Further, it requires that an operator be positioned on a side of the truck to which the control handles are located when opening the seat deck. Typically, this side of the truck is opposite to the side that is used when exiting or entering the operator's compartment, resulting in the operator walking around the truck before and/or after opening the seat deck.
In another prior art truck, the control handles, structure which couples the handles to corresponding valves and a front cover, automatically pivot away from the seat deck when the deck is opened. A costly pivoting plate must be provided for mounting the handles, the coupling structure and the front cover. It is also noted that the plate has a low pivot position. Consequently, substantial clearance is required between the floorplate and the front cover, to allow the plate, the control handles, the coupling structure and the front cover to rotate away from the seat deck when the seat deck is raised. This clearance allows the ingress of foreign material onto the hydraulic valves, which is undesirable. Further, the shape of the front cover restricts easy ingress into and egress from the operator's compartment.
Thus, a need is identified for an improved manner for supporting one or more control handles within the comfortable reach of the operator, while at the same time avoiding the creation of interference with removable structures on the lift truck, such as the deck carrying the operator's seat.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a control handle support and valve linkage apparatus for mounting adjacent a movable deck on a lift truck is provided. The apparatus includes a first stationary bracket and a second bracket in engagement with the first bracket. At least one control handle assembly is coupled to the second bracket, and preferably positioned for easy access by the lift truck operator when seated in the operator's compartment. The second bracket is movable relative to the first bracket between a first retracted position and a second non-interfering position, with the second bracket being in the first position when the deck is in a closed position and in the second position when the deck is moved to an open position. Accordingly, when the seat deck is opened, the second bracket simultaneously pivots to move the control handle assemblies out of the way. This simultaneous pivoting action avoids creating any interference between the control handle assemblies and the seat deck as it is lifted. Further, the pivoting action avoids any interference between the handle assemblies and the battery when the battery is lifted for removal.
In one embodiment, the control handle support and valve linkage apparatus includes a spring for biasing the second bracket relative to the first bracket. The biasing force supplied by this spring allows the second bracket to pivot from the first to the second position when the deck is opened. Preferably, the second bracket rotates through an angle from about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees in moving from the first position to the second position, and most preferably through an angle of about 22°C. To provide the desired simultaneous pivoting action and relative movement, the second bracket further comprises a projecting member and the deck includes an actuator. When the deck is moving from the open to the closed position, this actuator engages the projecting member to overcome the spring biasing force and pivot the second bracket to the first position. In a most preferred embodiment, the projecting member is a substantially cylindrical rod and the actuator includes a C-shaped recess for engaging the rod. The deck preferably is at least a portion of a seat deck forming a part of a base portion of the lift truck.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a control handle support and valve linkage assembly is provided for mounting adjacent to a movable deck on a lift truck having a carrying assembly. The control handle support and valve linkage assembly comprises a first stationary bracket, at least one valve for controlling fluid flow to and away from the carrying assembly on the lift truck, a second bracket engaging the first bracket, at least one control handle assembly coupled to the second bracket, structure for coupling the at least one control handle assembly to the at least one valve, and at least one switch coupled directly to the at least one valve and operable to control fluid flow to the at least one valve. The second bracket is movable relative to the first bracket between a first position when the deck is closed and a second position when the deck is open. Preferably, the coupling structure does not pivot or otherwise move when the second bracket moves between its first and second positions.
Preferably, the control handle support and valve linkage assembly further includes a stationary cover. In one preferred embodiment, the cover has a generally planar outer surface. Advantageously, this planar outer surface does not interfere with the ingress to and egress from the operator's compartment of the lift truck.
In one embodiment, the second bracket rotates relative to the first bracket through an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees in moving from the first position to the second position. The second bracket may also rotate through other angular ranges including all ranges subsumed within the range of from about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees. Also, the coupling structure comprises at least one link and at least one cam. The at least one link is coupled to the at least one control handle assembly and the at least one cam. The at least one cam is further coupled to the at least one valve, which preferably comprises a spool valve.
Most preferably, first and second control handle assemblies are provided as part of the control valve linkage assembly. A spring is also provided for biasing the second bracket relative to the first bracket such that the second bracket pivots from the first position to the second position when the deck is moved to the open position. The second bracket includes a projecting member and the deck further comprises an actuator for engaging the projecting member to pivot the second bracket to the first position when the deck is moved to a closed position. In one particular embodiment, the projecting member is a substantially cylindrical rod and the actuator includes a C-shaped recess for engaging the rod. The deck is a seat deck forming a part of a base portion of the lift truck.
Reference is now made to
As best shown in
Referring now to
The pin 15d further receives a flat washer 17 and a torsion spring 18. The spring 18 is received on the second portion of the pin 15d. The pin 15d serves as a hub for the spring 18 that causes the second bracket 11 to pivot relative to the first bracket 15. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, a first leg 18a of the spring 18 projects downwardly and is received in a recess 150 formed in a cross bar 15e of the bracket 15, while a second leg 18b of the spring 18 also projects downwardly and is captured in a C-shaped recess 11c provided in the second bracket 11. As outlined further in the description that follows, the spring 18 effects pivotable movement of the second bracket 11 relative to the first bracket 15 when the seat deck 13 is opened, thereby serving to simultaneously and automatically move the control handles 30-33 out of the way to avoid creating interference.
The first control handle 30 is mounted to a first bellcrank 22 via at least one, and preferably a pair of screws 21. The first handle 30 and the first bellcrank 22 comprise a first handle assembly. The second, third and fourth control handles 31-33 are similarly coupled to second, third and fourth bellcranks 27-29 via pairs of screws 21. The control handles 31-33 and the bellcranks 27-29 comprise second, third and fourth handle assemblies. The term "handle assembly," as used herein, is also intended to cover a handle when used without accompanying structure such as a bellcrank, or an integral handle/bellcrank unit.
Each bellcrank 22 and 27-29 is provided with a bore 23. Two bushings 24 are press-fit into opposing ends of each bore 23. A shaft 14b passes through each set of two bushings 24 and, hence, through the bores 23 in the bellcranks 22 and 27-29. The shaft 14b also passes through bushings 24 press-fit into bores 11d and 11e in the second bracket 11. The bellcranks 22 and 27-29 and the bushings 24 are rotatable about the shaft 14b, and the shaft 14b is rotatable relative to the bracket 11. Spring washers 25 and flatwashers 26 are captured in place by a collar-like spacer 26a connected to the shaft 14b using a transverse pin 26b. The pin 26b extends through openings in the spacer 26a and shaft 14b (the opening in the shaft is not shown).
The first ends 19a of first, second, third and fourth links 19 are coupled to the first, second, third and fourth bellcranks 22 and 27-29 via retainer pins 23a and captivated by cotter pins 23b, see
First, second, third and fourth switches 80a-80d are directly coupled to each of the respective spool valves 72a-72d. These switches 80a-80d are preferably conventional snap-action switches. The switches 80a-80d are coupled to the spool valves 72a-72d by brackets 82, spacer plates 84, insulators 84a, retainer plates 86, and bolts 88. The retainer plates 86 are provided with tapped holes (not shown) for threadedly receiving the bolts 88. For each switch 80a-80d, a spacer plate 84 and an insulator 84a are positioned on opposing sides of the switch. Further, one or more bolts pass through openings provided in the spacer plate 84, openings in the insulator 84a, openings in the switch and openings in the bracket 82 and threadedly engage openings in the retainer plate 86, which is positioned on a side of the bracket opposite to the side to which the spacer plate, insulator and switch are positioned, for securing the switch to its bracket 82. The brackets 82 are coupled to the valves 72a-72d via bolts 73.
Referring now to
The hook 130 engages a cantilevered pin 11f projecting outwardly from the second bracket 11 when the seat deck 13 is in its "down" position so as to maintain the bias spring 18 and second bracket 11 in a first position P1 relative to the first bracket 15, see
When the latch 13a on the seat deck 13 is manually released (see action arrow C in
As should be appreciated from viewing
With reference back to
As shown in
In operating the control valve linkage assembly 20 generally, the first control handle 30 is rotated toward the operator causing the spool 70 of the valve 72a and its associated cam 60 to be raised. Upward movement of the spool 70 past its centered position opens the valve 72a such that hydraulic fluid is permitted to travel to the hydraulic cylinders (not shown) of the mast assembly 50. The corresponding upward movement of the cam 60 (see action arrow D in
To tilt the mast assembly 50 and the forks 40, the second control to handle 31 is rotated toward or away from the operator causing the spool 70 of the valve 72b and its associated cam 60 to be raised or lowered. Movement of the spool 70 past its centered position opens the valve 72b such that hydraulic fluid is permitted to travel between the hydraulic cylinders (not shown) coupled to the body 12 and the mast assembly 50 and a hydraulic pump apparatus (not shown) and a hydraulic reservoir (not shown) for effecting tilting movement of the mast members 52, 54 and 56 toward and away from the operator. Movement of the cam 60 from its centered position causes a roller arm 81b of the switch 80b to move out of a second groove 60d in the cam 60 resulting in actuation of the second switch 80b (see FIG. 7). Actuation of the switch 80b results in the hydraulic pump apparatus supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure through the valve 72b to the hydraulic cylinders (not shown) coupled to the body 12 and the mast assembly 50.
To move the carriage mechanism 42 and the forks 40 from side to side about the vertical axis A1, the third control handle 32 is rotated toward or away from the operator causing the spool 70 of the valve 72c and its associated cam 60 to be raised or lowered. Movement of the spool 70 past its centered position opens the valve 72c such that hydraulic fluid is permitted to travel between appropriate hydraulic cylinders (not shown) provided between the mast assembly 50 and the carriage mechanism 42 and a hydraulic pump apparatus (not shown) and a hydraulic reservoir (not shown) to effect side to side movement of the carriage mechanism 42 and the forks 40. Movement of the cam 60 from its centered position causes a roller arm 81a of the switch 80c to move out of a second groove 60d in the cam 60 resulting in actuation of the third switch 80c (see FIG. 8). Actuation of the switch 80c results in the hydraulic pump apparatus supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure through the valve 72c to hydraulic cylinders provided between the mast assembly 50 and the carriage mechanism 42.
To rotate the carriage mechanism 42 and the forks 40 about an axis of rotation A2, the fourth control handle 33 is rotated toward or away from the operator causing the spool 70 of the valve 72d and its associated cam 60 to be raised or lowered. Movement of the spool 70 past its centered position opens the valve 72d such that hydraulic fluid is permitted to travel between appropriate hydraulic cylinders (not shown) provided between the mast assembly 50 and the carriage mechanism 42 and a hydraulic pump apparatus (not shown) and a hydraulic reservoir (not shown) to effect rotational movement of the carriage mechanism 42 and the forks 40. Movement of the cam 60 from its centered position causes a roller arm 81a of the switch 80d to move out of a second groove 60d in the cam 60 resulting in actuation of the fourth switch 80d (see FIG. 9). Actuation of the switch 80d results in the hydraulic pump apparatus supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure through the valve 72d to hydraulic cylinders provided between the mast assembly 50 and the carriage mechanism 42.
It is further contemplated that the control valve linkage assembly may include only first, second and third control handles (not shown), such as for controlling fork height, side shift, and tilt. Moreover, it is also possible to provide only two control handles (not shown), such as for controlling fork height and tilt. It is additionally contemplated that control handles 32 and 33 may be employed to control options other than fork side shift and fork rotation. For example, the handles 32 and 33 may be used to control the following functions: fork spread (forks traverse left and right symmetrically about the center of the truck); load stabilizer (a pad comes down on the load to keep it from tipping/shifting); push/pull (a device extends out, clamps on a bottom sheet (e.g., cardboard or plastic) and pulls the sheet onto the forks/pushes to remove); clamp (device that clamps the load from the sides); rotate (device that clamps and rotates (e.g., barrels, rolls of paper, etc.) left and right); and upender (device that provides the ability to rotate a load forward and backward (e.g., used for pouring)), or any like function where control of a mechanism associated with a lift truck or other vehicle is provided through the actuation of switches or the like.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
Bruns, Eugene G., Lockyer, Wayne David, Watercutter, Nita Louise
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Aug 25 2000 | Crown Equipment Corporation | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Oct 19 2000 | BRUNS, EUGENE G | Crown Equipment Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 011299 | /0969 | |
Oct 19 2000 | WATERCUTTER, NITA LOUISE | Crown Equipment Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 011299 | /0969 | |
Nov 02 2000 | LOCKYER, WAYNE DAVID | Crown Equipment Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 011299 | /0969 |
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